Flying Taylor rips Cofis apart

Four tries by Welsh winger Rafiuke Taylor surged Pontyclun to a 31-15 victory against Caernarfon in the Super Cup.

Taylor's jet heels saw her grab a hat-trick in the first half before finishing off her profitable day with a fourth midway through the second half.

Caernarfon more than matched their Premier League opponents in the pack but had no answer to the pace of Taylor out wide.

Fifteen minutes of fully committed rugby had seen both defences tested but the appearance of Taylor at centre on one breakout was enough to bisect the Cofi rearguard and her pace took her the distance to ground under the posts. Standoff Brogan Jones added the conversion.

Minutes later a quick lineout take the ball reached Taylor on the far wing and once again her blistering pace took her clear for another touchdown, added to by Brogan.

Caernarfon to their credit kept the ball close to the forwards and were gaining valuable yardage against a team that had not conceded a try in their previous three cup encounters but one spilt ball close to the Pontyclun line again found Taylor in waiting and 80 metres later she was grounding despite the excellent chase and tackle of fullback Felicity Smith. Jones again converted.

It could have been expected that the Cofi heads would now drop but on the contrary, they upped their game and began pushing the visitors pack back at each scrum. The debutant second row pairing of Grisial Pugh and Kirsty Holdsworth were a revelation with all the forwards eager to run with ball in.

After three or four surges in the red zone prop Emma Edwards picked up and drove the final few meters to ground beyond the whitewash.
Knowing that this tactic was bringing its rewards Caernarfon concentrated on more of the same and playing downhill were able to add further pressure. A series of scrums close to the line finally brought the second touchdown with a Rhian Gwawr pickup and feed allowing winger Catrin Mair to squeeze in at the corner.

Sensing a comeback the visitors opted to extend their lead via a penalty attempt by Jones just prior to halftime.

Caernarfon's 14 second half players were all heroic in their contribution with back rowers Cenin Eifion and Caryl Hughes a constant thorn with ball in hand or tackling stoically.

Drives from scrums brought the Cofis close and finally good interplay saw Caryl Hughes at hand to take the final pass and charge over.

With conditions deteriorating Meg Oatan broke out of defence mid way through the half and although within sight of the line she passed to ever-present Taylor to round off the move and score her fourth of the day; Jones completed a fine day with the boot with yet another successful conversion.

The final 20 minutes of the match was mostly spent just within the Pontyclun half with countless scrums and drives under the direction of scrumhalf Olwyn Jones not bringing the expected reward for the Cofis.

Both teams are now halfway through their eight game Cup programme with the Cofis having away trips to Neath and Whitland over the next few weeks.

Merthyr secured the league and cup double on Saturday after adding the Principality Premiership title with one game to spare, just two weeks after lifting the National Cup title at Principality Stadium.

More than 50 school, college, club, social and representative teams from all over Wales enjoyed one of the best experiences of their lives over the last fortnight, playing a final or community match on the Principality Stadium pitch.

Nant Conwy head coach Kevin Thomas and Ifan Jones look forward to Sunday's WRU National Plate final where they say it is a 'massive day out for the club and community' as they prepare to tackle Brynmawr at Principality Stadium

Merthyr coach Dale McIntosh and second row Craig Locke look to draw on their experiences playing in the WRU National Cup Final to help Merthyr lift the title for the first time this Sunday when they face Newport at Principality Stadium.

More than 250 members of Girlguiding Cymru recently added a Rugby Participation Badge to their collection by taking part in a fun festival at Cardiff Met. The WRU is working with Girlguiding Cymru to provide new opportunities for girls and make connections with the girls-only rugby clusters around Wales.

Wales and Ospreys flanker Sam Cross heads back home to Brynmawr and sees how the camp are preparing for their big day out at Principality Stadium where they will face Nant Conwy in the WRU National Plate final.

Players and fans alike were jumping for joy at the final whistle when Porthcawl edged out Abercwmboi in the WRU semi-final held at Taffs Well, to earn a spot in the final to be held at Principality Stadium.

There was a mini Judgement Day for the Llynfi Valley bragging rights on Derby Day as Maesteg hosted Maesteg Quins and up the road, Nantyffyllon played Maesteg Celtic. Nantyffyllon were close 13-10 victors at home while Maesteg Quins managed a memorable 24-9 scalp over home side Maesteg

Merthyr wing Kyle Evans has won the Principality Premiership Player of the Year award. Evans is currently top try scorer for the League with 19 after scoring two against Aberavon last night in the double champions' final game of the season